Criminal Law

Fact vs. Fiction: Dissecting True Crime Narratives

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
California MCLE Paralegal Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved 3 Total
New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved 3 Total
Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved 3 Total
OnDemand
2 hours 58 minutes
Kelechi Okengwu
Christopher Grohman
Courtney Fretwell
With Kelechi Okengwu from Baker McKenzie + 2 others
Recorded April 17, 2025.
Product ID 100207

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Course Includes
$219

OnDemand Video

Course Book Download

OnDemand content will be available within 7 days of event date.


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$69/month

Overview

What Popular True Crime Documentaries Didn't Tell You

The narratives presented by "true" crime documentaries all too often weave a tangled web of embellishments, lies, and selective storytelling. Can you see through the filmmakers' choices and differentiate fact from fiction? This course dares you to challenge the narratives you've heard and dives deep into the heart of the genre's most infamous cases. Prepare to engage, question, and discover the real stories that deserve to be told - register today!

  • Examine how selective storytelling in Making a Murderer distorted public understanding about Steven Avery's case.
  • Hone in on how The Jinx sidelines the voices of Robert Durst's victims.
  • Investigate crucial details The Staircase overlooked about Michael Peterson's trial.
  • Critique the portrayal of the Chris Watts case in American Murder: The Family Next Door.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Omitted Evidence and Bias in Making a Murderer
  2. What The Jinx Leaves Out
  3. The Unseen Truth in The Staircase
  4. Behind Closed Doors: Unpacking American Murder and the Watts Case
Product ID 100207

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
California MCLE Paralegal Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved 3 Total
New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved 3 Total
Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved 3 Total
Select Jurisdiction
Paralegal

Agenda

All times are shown in
  1. Omitted Evidence and Bias in Making a Murderer

  2. What The Jinx Leaves Out

  3. The Unseen Truth in The Staircase

  4. Behind Closed Doors: Unpacking American Murder and the Watts Case

Who Should Attend

This intermediate level true crime course is designed to empower attendees to think critically about how selective presentation of evidence and narrative choices shape public perception. Those who should attend include:

  • Paralegals
  • Legal Technicians
  • Legal Assistants
  • Legal Support Staff
  • Attorneys
  • True Crime Aficionados

Speakers

Kelechi Okengwu
Kelechi
Okengwu
Baker McKenzie
Christopher T Grohman
Christopher T.
Grohman
Benesch
Courtney Fretwell
Courtney
Fretwell
Rockefeller Audio
Speaker bio
Kelechi Okengwu

Kelechi Okengwu

Baker McKenzie
Kelechi Okengwu

is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice Group. Prior to joining the Firm, she worked at another international law firm, and previously clerked for The Honorable Marcia G. Cooke of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Okengwu focuses her practice on a broad range of internal and government investigations as well as high-stakes complex commercial litigation disputes in federal and state courts. She routinely represents high-profile individuals and multinational corporations facing exposure to civil and criminal liability, whether in a single jurisdiction or across many. Ms. Okengwu's litigation matters involve securities transactions, breach of contracts, and investigations. She also advises clients on the design and implementation of compliance programs and performs due diligence on high-risk business transactions. Ms. Okengwu is admitted in the states of New York and Florida.

Speaker bio
Christopher T Grohman

Christopher T. Grohman

Benesch
Christopher Grohman

is a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He has spent the last seven years in private practice helping companies and individuals navigate governmental and internal investigations. Mr. Grohman has defended cases brought by almost every government agency, including the DOJ, SEC, CFPB, CFTC to name a few. He has conducted multiple internal investigations for Fortune 500 companies related to accounting fraud, corporate embezzlement, theft of trade secrets, and other sensitive topics. Mr. Grohman tried seven jury cases during his time as a federal prosecutor and an additional thirteen trials in his time in private practice. His recent victories include a seven figure damages award for a plaintiff that brought suit against a former partner, as well as a full acquittal of a criminal defendant charged with multiple felonies. Mr. Grohman has investigated and conducted complex federal civil, criminal, and administrative trials and appeals involving various subjects, including Medicare compliance, bankruptcy fraud, financial fraud, and legal and medical ethics. In addition, he has represented, advised, and assisted corporations in developing and implementing compliance programs, as well as conducting diligence as part of mergers, focusing on Medicare, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Anti-Money Laundering compliance. Mr. Grohman was a former instructor at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and National Advocacy Center. He also was an adjunct professor at DePaul University Law School, Drafting (Jan. 2015 - 2018); Research and Writing for Law Enforcement (January 2016 - June 2018). Mr. Grohman is admitted to practice in the states of California and Illinois.

Speaker bio
Courtney Fretwell

Courtney Fretwell

Rockefeller Audio
Courtney Fretwell

is the producer and host of Forensic Tales, a weekly true crime podcast. She earned her B.S. degree in criminal justice, with a minor in forensic science, and her M.S. degree in forensic psychology. Ms. Fretwell's experience includes working with blood spatter and fingerprints at the Northamptonshire Police Department's crime lab. She also worked in various positions at the Orange County Superior Court, including Collaborative Court, which is a specialized court that offers alternative sentences and treatment to offender's suffering from serious mental illness and drug/alcohol misuse. Ms. Fretwell has conducted extensive research on violent crimes, mass shooters and the death penalty. Her podcast Forensic Tales covers the forensic science and psychology behind true crime cases.

Top FAQs

What is included with my course purchase?

When you enroll prior to the live event date you will receive access to the live-streaming webinar which will allow you to interact with faculty in real-time.

With each course, you will receive access to the content via OnDemand Streaming and the Video Download.

Course reference materials are included with each course purchase in a downloadable PDF format.

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Courses are available within your account. Simply login to your account and click on My Courses. If you require additional assistance please call our Customer Service Department at 800-793-5274.

Do you have options for attendees who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Closed captioning is available for all online live courses. Attendees may enable the closed captioning functionality within the event room once they have accessed the event by simply clicking the "cc" button in the lower right of the event room.

Are multiple attendee discounts available?

Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. Please call out Customer Service Department to inquire about savings for your team at 800-793-5274.

When will the OnDemand be available and how long will I have access to the content?

The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account.

If you're a subscriber, you'll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.

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